Google unblocks Rap Genius from search results

'We deserved to get smacked' say the site's founders in an open letter

Photo: Press

Popular lyrics website Rap Genius has been unblocked from Google's top search results.

The website was blocked by Google last month following a disagreement over manipulative SEO practices, when it became clear that the site was offering exposure to bloggers through its social media accounts in exchange for links on their blogs.

However, Rap Genius is now once again appearing in Google searches, reports Pitchfork. Rap Genius have issued a statement on their site, which thanks Google for letting them back onto their results pages. The letter reads:

"It takes a few days for things to return to normal, but we're officially back! First of all, we owe a big thanks to Google for being fair and transparent and allowing us back onto their results pages. We overstepped, and we deserved to get smacked." After going into detail about how they managed to get back on Google, they finish by writing: "To Google and our fans: we're sorry for being such morons. We regret our foray into irrelevant unnatural linking."

Rap Genius was launched in 2009 and allows users to submit lyrics, annotation and interpretations of songs. In October 2013, it was one of five websites targeted for the unlicensed online publication of song lyrics – however, the resultant deal with Sony righted this issue.